Experts call for more women to screen for cervical cancer

Experts call for more women to screen for cervical cancer

11% of women aged between 21 and 65 have not screened for cervical cancer in the past five years, findings from the recently released federal report have shown.

Experts call for more women to screen for cervical cancer

These figures are worrying to experts as the report also showed that more than half of the people affected by this disease are those who have never or rarely been screened.

“Every visit to a provider can be an opportunity to prevent cervical cancer by making sure women are referred for screening appropriately,” told Deputy Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ilenea Arias.

The American study found that a lack of screening was most prevalent among older women and women of colour. Of the 8 million women who have not recently screened, 12.6% were older, 19.7% were Asian/Pacific Islanders and 16.5% American Indians.

“We must increase our efforts to make sure that all women understand the importance of getting screened for cervical cancer,” Arias said.

Beyond more frequent screening, there is also a call for wider use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Recommended for children aged 11 and 12, studies by the CDC have shown the HPV vaccine to prevent up to 93% of cervical cancer cases. Despite this, they have found that only 1 in 3 girls receive the injection.

So are you due for another screening? While the process may be uncomfortable, it is important to remember just how vital early detection is to fighting this disease.